Although long term care is the type of care that usually will come to mind when senior care is mentioned, there are many types of senior care, with long term care just being the most widely advertised.
There are a variety of situations that may require a different type of care, including a transfer out of the hospital, or even a situation where assisted living or a nursing home just isn’t meeting your loved one’s needs anymore. If you find that your family is in a situation like this, there are a few helpful things that you can do to make this situation a little bit easier.
- Work with the hospital closely. Or whatever other institution your loved one has been working with. These are the people that have been providing care, and they will be the ones that will give you the information that you need to ensure that the right level of care continues. Whether you will be working as a family caregiver or you will be hiring an in-home caregiver to assist with your mom or dad, the people that were providing care before will be able to give you the information that you need to prepare for a smooth transition.
- Plan ahead. If you’re getting ready for a loved one to come home after receiving care or treatment somewhere else, the more prepared you are ahead of time, the easier this process will be. If any sort of modification is needed for your home, or if you need to find a professional to help fill any gaps in care, it’s better to take care of the details before it becomes necessary.
- Don’t be afraid to get help. When a senior is living at a care facility, there is a whole team of people working to help them. It is unrealistic to expect that you can do this all on your own. Other family members, friends, and professionals in your community can help you to accomplish this. Don’t be afraid to get help–it will only enhance the quality of care that your loved one will receive.
Don’t forget that senior care isn’t always permanent. Sometimes, short term care is necessary, especially after a hospital stay, when in recovery from a major health event like surgery or a stroke, or something similar. Long term care tends to be what we think of when we think of senior care, but it isn’t the only option that is out there. Short term care, respite care, and other shorter options exist to help families bridge gaps and take charge of a loved one’s health.
Confused? That’s okay. Senior care is a big topic and even a lot of the professionals that are in this field are not fully versed on every single option that exists. This is why it’s important that you work with an expert in the field–and then double check to see what else is out there!
We are more than happy to help out if you need it. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
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